Kosovo Agriculture and Rural Development Plan 2009- 13 is a cross-sectoral policy prepared with the objectives of additional income for farmers and rural dwellers, leading to improved living standards and working conditions in rural areas; improved competitiveness and efficiency of primary agricultural production, in order to achieve import substitution and take advantage of export markets; improved processing and marketing of agricultural produce, through increased efficiency and competitiveness; improved on-farm/in-factory quality and hygiene standards; sustainable rural development and improved quality of life (including infrastructure) through promotion of farming and other economic activities that are in harmony with the environment; creation of employment opportunities in rural areas, particularly through rural diversification; and alignment of Kosovo’s agriculture with that of EU. Kosovo’s agriculture sector plays an important role in the local economy by contributing one quarter of Kosovo’s GDP and employing two thirds of the adult population. But it also suffers from a low level of efficiency, fragmented agricultural land/production, and poor quality of produce. To overcome these issues and make agriculture and forestry more productive and sustainable human resources development is vital. To this end, the strategy includes development of vocational training (technical, business, and IT) to meet rural needs. Because the establishment of a sustainable and profitable agriculture sector cannot be completed without rational and profitable use of water resource, the strategy focuses on the rehabilitation, restructuring and development of the irrigation infrastructure. Such investments will be directed primarily towards easing production constraints for farmers with land under the command of rehabilitated primary, secondary and tertiary level irrigation infrastructure. To enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural systems efforts will focus on restructuring physical potential in the agri-rural sector by promoting investments and related activities that will improve farm business efficiency and competitiveness. This effort will provide support for economically viable family farms, producers’ groups and other agricultural holdings through capital investment in farm machinery, equipment, buildings and other production facilities relevant to livestock, field crops, fruit and vegetables, including grapes for table and wine. Further, efforts will focus on improving the processing and marketing of agricultural products. To this end, activities will focus on supporting innovation and modernization in the agro-processing sector; developing higher value-added products that fulfill international hygiene, food safety and quality standards for consumers; introducing environmentally friendly technologies; improving the marketing and labeling of quality products (processed and fresh); and improve the structure for, and enforcement of, quality, sanitary, veterinary and plant-health controls. To reduce rural poverty, efforts will focus on employment creation through on- and off-farm diversification, development of micro-enterprises and SMEs, agri-processing of new products, rural tourism and development of other rural-based services, including forestry, fisheries and hunting. Further, actions will be taken for the improvement of rural infrastructure and maintenance of rural heritage. This aims to improve working/living conditions and basic services in rural areas, as well as facilitate village renewal and improve rural heritage. Examples include: development of domestic sewerage/water supply systems, roads in rural areas (rehabilitation and new investment), a rural broadband infrastructure, with which to facilitate the adoption of information technology (IT) skills; and the rehabilitation of cultural centres in rural areas. Importance will also be given to activities that support local community development to help rural communities achieve a sense of ownership over the ongoing transition process. Regarding governance, the Managing Authority responsible for implementation of ARDP 2009-13 is Kosovo’s MAFRD. Implementation of selected measures can be delegated to other responsible bodies by MAFRD’s Board of Directors, chaired by the Permanent Secretary. A Monitoring Committee with representatives from government, local authorities, NGOs, socio-economic partners and beneficiaries from the sector and rural areas, was also established to monitor the Strategy’s implementation. The evaluation criteria will cover relevance and coherence; effectiveness; effects; cost effectiveness, efficiency and utility; as well as sustainability.
Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) · 2009-01-01